Theft appliance



Oct. 14, 1930. A. MCC. LEVEY 1,778,502

THEFT APPLIANCE Filed July 30, 1929 Inventor A tiomey Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES ALVIN MCCRARY LEVEY, or PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS THEFT APPLIANCE Application filed July 30, 1929. Serial No. 382,262.

This invention relates to an automotive accessory and has more particular reference to a supplemental device or attachment for the filler neck of a gasoline tank which is intended to minimize fraudulent stealing of cars.

Stated more precisely, l have evolved and produced a simplified and economical appliance of this class in the nature of a supplemental cover for the screw cap of the filler neck, wherein this cover includes a vivid notice indicating that the car is stolen, and wherein easily controlled locking means is provided for maintaining the cover in place. Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings: 7 Figure l is a rear elevational view showing a fragmentary portion of an automobile and gasoline tank with the appliance in position thereon,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the details and their as sociation,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the cover.

In the drawings in Figure 2, the numeral 4 designates the usual fillerneck which has the customary screw threads at its top to accommodate a removable screw cap 5. In accordance with the invention the rim portion of the cap and the adjacent portion of the neck,

is formed with bored holes to accommodate a retaining bolt 6.

The bolt has a head 7 on one end and its opposite end flattened and apertured as at 8 to accommodate the shackle of a padlock generally designated at 9. The supplemental cover is generally designated by the reference character 10 and comprises a disk 11 having printed indicia 12 thereon as seen in Figure 3. This cap fits down tightly on the cap 5.

It is provided at diametrically opposite sides with depending lugs 13 and 1% respectively, the lug 14: being shouldered as at 15 to cooperate with a head 7 of the bolt. The apertured end of the bolt extends through the lug 13 as seen in Figure 2.

The indicia on the supplemental cover preferably reads Driver without tank keystolen can -notify law. It has been found most thieves, not knowing the amount of gasoline in the tank, and in a hurry to get away, will frequently stop when safely out of the scene, at a nearby filling station to put in. more gasoline. f

l/Vhen the attendant attempts to fill the tank he will find that the cap is locked by a specially controlled padlock. He will then naturally ask for the key to open it. If the driver is without the key, this will indicate that the car is a stolen car. It is suggested that in practice, the cover may also contain the name of the owner of the car so as to reduce embarassment if he has forgotten his key. As a general rule, however, if the car is driven by a thief, when he is suspected by the station attendant he will generally flee the scene or ofier such excuse as would naturally create suspicion and permit the proper authorities to be notified.

It is thought that this simplified and economical scheme will be found practicable for reducing the stealing of cars to a minimum. It is further thought that the device will fullfil the requirements of an invention of this class in all necessary ways.

The simplicity is such that it makes it unnecessary to enter into a more detailed deseription, for it is believed that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a' clear understanding of the same after a description of the drawings. Therefore a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of details, coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new is:

As a new product of manufacture, a theft appliance of the class described comprising a supplemental filler cap cover in the nature of a disk having a notice displayed thereon, and provided with diametrically opposite depending apertured lugs, a headed bolt passing through the apertures in said lugs, one end of the bolt being provided With holes to accommodate the shackle of a compleniental padlock.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

ALVIN MOCRARY LEV EY. 

